JBFloyd

Rick,

The ribbon color combination is not one I would have chosen. But the recipients were scientists who, traditionally, are not fashion forward!

Jeff Floyd

And the reverse.

A little piece you generally don't see.

Now the Max Planck Society, this remains the foremost German scientific research society, with numerous Nobel laureates among its members. The badge was established in 1911 as a mark of recogition and favor by the Kaiser.

The reverse of the badge. It appears to be brass, with enameled PLM. THe is an indistinct maker's mark on the reverse of the anchor (possibly "GSM") under the verdigris patch.

Jeff Floyd

I know about the SMS Iltis in China, but can anyone tell me about the illustrated badge?

Repeat after me -- "All US medals are junk, especially the named/numbered ones. For proper disposal, they should be sent immediately to PO Box...."

US medals, like British medals, require a little study. We continue to pull data out of the official records and make them more easily researched.

Once you've seen some properly named/numbered pieces, you start to recognize the good, bad and ugly. One you recognize brooch styles and naming/numbering styles, you have a good start. John Strandberg's book "Call of Duty" has good photos of original strike US medals and the photos are worth the price of the book.

As for differences in values of named pieces, there are collector "hot items", such as Marines, airborne units, pilots, POWs, and hot areas, such as Civil War, Spanish-American War, etc. The story sells the medal.

In reality, quality US medals are undervalued when compared to British equivalent awards. However, the different polocies of awarding decorations accounts for far greater numbers of US awards and that depresses thei market values somewhat. I have a group with a DSC/Silver Star/ 8 DFC/20 Air Medals to a 13 victory ace (33 victories before they disallowed ground kills). The rough equivalent would be an RAF Fighter Command DSO/DFC and 2 bars. I paid $2550 for mine, what would the Fighter Commend equivalent go for?

Jeff Floyd

I believe the one following the 1873 War Medal is an Austrian Jubilee; BUlgarian Order of St Alexander, officer; Bulgarian Order of Civil Merit, officer; unidentified; Albanian Medal for the Accession of Prince William of Weid.

Someone else will certainly chime in with the unidentified purple w/bullion stripes ribbon.

Jeff Floyd

Third from the end is the Medal of Liberty, 1st class; second from the end is the Medal of Lberty, second class.

"He polished up the handles so carefully,

that now he is the ruler of the Queen's Navy"

This applies in all services

First of all, it's not a Sacred Treasure ribbon, which should have a distinct 3mm blue edge stripe.

Then the rosette is in the French style. Japanese rosettes have the ribbon folded to form prominent ridges around the center (like the spokes of a wheel).

It was probably to a European recipient who could not replace the original Japanese ribbon and found a similar color pattern to reribbon his medal.

Jeff Floyd

He's not in the 1953 or 1955 Air Force Lists, so probably was out by the Coronation.

Both of his DFCs were Gazetted in 1945 (without citations) and the date looks right on the cross. The private naming is not a great detraction, especially with the other "go-with" stuff.

I wouldn't have great qualms about this one. A log book would cement to the deal, but what's there is quite appropriate for a WWII double-DFC recipient.

Jeff Floyd

Certainly in common usage by Vietnam, where all available firepower would be unleashed on the surrounding jungle at random intervals. It woke up the monkeys, if nothing else.

The chief commander is worn alone, not with the commander's neck badge.

I thought the Russian-made version had "Za Hrabrost" in the wreath below a very small star; while the Yugosalvian-made version had a large star in the center and "Za Hrabrost" above that. Or were both types made in both locations?

I'd agree with Chris about the "patriot factor", but the legal issues here make it so nobody with any public visibility wants to deal with the problem.

Bill Gates could afford to take up the fight (and buy as many Congressmen as he wanted), but he's not likely to if he gets nothing but bad press for the effort. You'd see headlines like "Geek Buys Real Hero's Medal/Probably compensating for personal inadequacies".

If the legal barriers went away, the price of Medals of Honor would rise substantially. There are folks interested. THey have deep pockets, but are not willing to take the public flogging that would come with it.

Jeff Floyd

It's interesting that the WWI Campaign Cross on the combatant ribbon is a French-made piece with the Roman numeral struck on the upper arm.

The non-combatant version is a Brazilian-made piece with no number engraved on the upper arm.

The number is supposed to represent the number of "semesters" the recipient served.

Both of these are quite rare and missing from most WWI collections.

Looks more like Potsdam.

I've had two of these in about 20 years, and Rick probably got one of them.

Jim,

Thanks. I was asked that question the other day and snapped off the answer. In this case I guessed correctly

Jeff Floyd

Can someone tell me if "Ship's corporal" was a rating or a position in the Victorian era?

Here's a capsule history of the NY Naval Militia, which apparently still exists: http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/nynm/history.html

A quick look at Google will up more than enough to keep you busy for a while.

Jeff Floyd

Austrian Iron Cross of Merit, without crown. Worn on the bravery ribbon (red laddered ribbon).

Brazilian forces (FAB and FEB) received a number of US decorations for gallantry and service in World War II, including:

Distinguished Service Cross - 1

Silver Star - 30

Legion of Merit - 67

Distinguished Flying Cross - 25 (including 1 oak leaf cluster)

Bronze Star - 163

Air Medal - 138 (including 96 oak leaf clusters)

The Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) anchored the right of Fifth Army's line in much of the fighting in Italy and acquitted themselves quite well, as the decoration tally shows.

National Guard units are state forces until federalized. As such, they fall under the command of the state governor (with the Army/Air Force retaining control of certain aspects of operations for continuity and consistency in doctrine, training, uniforms, policies, etc). Each governor can activate his own National Guard forces, usually for disaster relief these days. These activations are generally restricted to service within the state's borders. States are generally discouraged from attacking other states.

Each state adjutant general (usually political apointees, although usually from the state's forces) has his own program, including awards. State awards can only be worn on the uniform when on state duties. They cannot be worn when on federal duty.

I think New York State still has a Naval Militia component to its National Guard, and that used to have a battalion of Marines. Other states have had naval militia units (New Jersey, Massachusetts and Illinois come to mind), but the Navy has always preferred to have the Navy Reserve rather than naval components of National Guards. This probably has some ancient seagoing tradition behind it, but it is most likely the reluctance of the Navy to give up control to a state authority.

A National Guardsman called to active duty would qualify for the same awards as a regular Army soldier for similar service, including the Purple Heart. He would also qualify for any awards his state might issue.

The National Guard is roughly equivalent to the TA.